I get this question all the time: “I’m in my teens and I want
to start weight lifting. But someone recently told me that
weightlifting can stunt my growth. Is this true?”

It’s seems this myth will never die. But I will try again to
kill it.

The whole notion of growth being stunted by weight lifting is
a myth. It didn’t stunt the growth of Shaquille O’Neal, David
Robinson, Karl Malone, Michael Vick, etc. They all started
lifting in their early teens, and all have gone on to be well
over 6′ tall and star in professional sports.

Dave Draper and Arnold Schwarzenegger started lifting very
young and both are 6’1″ or taller. Lou Ferrigno started
working out at 14 years old at the height of 5′ 9″ and grew to
6′ 5″ – taller then anyone in his family!

So the answer is no, weightlifting does not stunt height growth, or
any other kind of growth, for that matter. There is no scientific
evidence to support such ideas and, in fact, books such as the
Russian, School of Height, suggest that weight training may
stimulate growth. The latest weight training studies done on
teens showed only positive effects.

I’d also point out that activities such as running and jumping
create forces on the body that are six to eight times one’s body
weight. The compression forces on his legs and spine are far
greater in running and jumping than they will ever be in
squatting or pressing over head.

Not only will proper weight training not stunt growth, it allows
teens to grow up with stronger muscles and bones, along with a
healthy lifestyle. It certainly benefits any other sport they
engage in.

Even though proper weight training protocols will not inhibit
growth, the risk for such occurrences and injuries are just like
anything else. If you have proper instruction and a
well-organized program,,your chances are very low.